Ruben Amorim went against expectations when changing his mind and including teenage winger Ethan Williams in Manchester United's pre-season tour of the US, and this faith has been repaid
Ruben Amorim's decision to include youngster Ethan Williams in Manchester United's squad for their pre-season tour of the US seems to have paid off. The 19-year-old was not expected to be part of the travelling cohort, but scored against Bournemouth on Thursday.
The Red Devils made it two wins from two in the Premier League Summer Series when they beat the Cherries 4-1 in Chicago, having already put West Ham to the sword on Sunday. Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring after eight minutes, with Patrick Dorgu adding another before half-time.
Amad Diallo netted their third on 53 minutes, and just one minute after coming on in place of the Ivorian, Williams swept home after a brilliant run from Diego Leon.
Williams was not initially expected to travel to the US in light of an anticipated loan move, yet Amorim is now reaping the rewards after he reversed this decision, having taken a real shine to the English talent.
According to the Daily Mail, Williams, who scored twice during the second half of last season on loan at Cheltenham Town, was expected to be excluded from United's pre-season tour.
This decision was reportedly made as a plethora of League One clubs were interested in taking Williams on loan. However, head coach Amorim changed his mind late on after taking a liking to the wideman.
"It was last minute," Williams told the club's website after Thursday's victory. "I was kind of told I wasn't [going] and then I was. I remember just not jumping around the bedroom, but I was buzzing.
"I've been trying to train well as these guys are the best players I've ever trained with, know what I mean? To be around it and be learning every single day is a real blessing and I'm just thankful for it all."
Williams failed to see gametime in the Red Devils' 2-1 victory over West Ham in New Jersey at the weekend, but made an immediate impact at Soldier Field and cut an exuberant figure post-match.
"It's mad, I can't believe it," he declared. "It still hasn't really sunk in, to be honest. It's a dream come true and I'm so happy right now. I'm thinking about all the moments, all the hard work I've been through.
"You know, I feel so blessed and so happy to be given this opportunity. To score, it's mad. I can't even explain how I am feeling, to be honest. I already messaged my dad. He put in so much hard work, he's sacrificed everything for me and my little brother to do this.
"I was straight on the phone, messaging him, [saying] I can't believe I just scored. He was like: 'I told you.' Because we were kind of manifesting it for some time now. For me to finally take this experience, and actually go ahead with it and score, it's a crazy feeling."
While it is still likely that Williams will be shipped out on loan after pre-season concludes, Amorim may have been given something to think about with this cameo, especially considering the winger's following admission.
"Obviously, I want to stay here and, obviously, my long-term goal is to play for the first team," added 19-year-old Williams. "It'd be a dream."